Hammock-support



L. l. BECKWITH.

' HAMMOCK SUPPORT.

APPLICAUON man ma. 29. 192x.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.l

2 SHEETsvsHLEI l.

///////L/MW i MI @Milug w ll iliipw l l l I l l l l I I i Il L. I. BECKWITH.

HAMMOCK SUPPORT.

UNITED STATES LOUIS I. BECKW'ITH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

HAMM@ CIK-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

Application filed March 29, 1921. Serial No. 456,554.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Louis I. BECKWITH, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Boston, Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hammock-Supports, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to foldable supports and more particularly to a support of that type commonly employed for supporting hammocks and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved support of the above type which will be stiff and rigid while in use and which may readily be folded into relatively small space for transportation and storage.

A desirable arrangement whereby the object of the invention may be attained is disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating one end of a support constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. l looking from the left-hand side of the latter.

Fig. 3 is a cross section partly in elevation on the line a--b of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross section on the line c-Z of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation similar' to Fig. 1 but showing the parts as partially folded.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modified form of the device.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary end elevation from the left-hand side of Fig. 6.

Fig. S is a side elevation illustrating a modified form of bracket which may be employed in the device of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a cross section partly in elevation taken on the line e-f of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal cross section on the line g-t of Fig. 6.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross section on the line m-n of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 12 is a. side elevation illustrating the parts shown in Fig. 6 but in a partiallyfolded condition. Y

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the numeral 1 indicates a transversely extending bar, preferably of tubular form and which serves to space apart the pairs of legs employed for supporting the structure. Se-

cured adjacent each end of the `bar 1 is a bracket 2, this bracket being illustrated herein as of substantially trough-like form, comprising the side members 3, 4. respectively as seen in Fig. 3. The side members 3 and e serve to partially embrace the bar 1 and the bracket 2 may be secured to the bar by means of bolts or rivets such as 5. Project'ing downwardly from the bracket 2 are lugs or ears 6, 7, the ear 7 if desired, comprising spaced apart members S, 9 between which members is pivoted the upper end of a hammock sustaining hook 10.

A carrier member 11 of substantially U- shaped cross section and'eomprising spaced arms 12, 13, is so arranged as to embrace the lug 6 between its arms. A pivot pin 11 passes through suitable openings in the respective arms 12 and 13 and the lug 6 whereby the carrier is pivoted to turn about an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the rod or bar l.

15 is a plate engaging the outer surface of the end member 16 of the carrier 11 and at 17 is indicated a second and similar plate overlying the plate 15. The plates 15, 17 are pivotally connected to the member 16 of the carrier 11 by means of a common pivot pin 18, the parts being so arranged as to permit the swinging of the plates 15, 17 about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the bar 1. The outer portions of the plates 15, 17 are curved out of the planes of the plates as shown at 19, 19 respectively, and serve to partially embrace leg members 20, 21. The leg members 20, 21 are preferably of tubular form and are secured to the curved portions 19, 19;l of the plates 15, 17 by means of rivets 22, 23 or in any other suitable manner. lf desired, the upper portion of the carrier 11 may be formed with an outstanding arm 24 provided at its end with a cover plate 25 which in normal position of the parts serves to cover and protect the end of the rod 1.

. 26 is a foldable brace member comprising the portions 27, 28 pivoted respectively at 29 to one of the leg members and at 30 to the bar 1,fit being understood that each of the legs is provided with a similar brace mem- In the construction above described it is preferred to form the bracket 2 and the carrier 11 by casting or in some similar manner, in which case the abutment of the ends 2a and 11"L of the respective members serves in some measure to stiften the device when in operative position, but inthe preferred arrangement disclosed inf Figs. 6 to 12 inclusive, such bracket and carrier are illustrated as formed of sheet material.

Referring to the latter figures the transverse bar is indicated at 1a, such bar being substantially like thatpreviously described. 31 is a bracket vformed or sheet material and comprising a central portion 32 bent into substantially tubular form and open at one side Vas indicated at 33. The edges of the sheet material adjacent such opening are arranged-to lie in substantially parallel relation, such edges comprising pairs of 0ppositely disposed ears or lugs 34, 35, 36, 37, respectively. Between the ears 84, 35 is pivotally supported, by means of the rivet 35a, a hammock sustaininghook 38 `which may also be of sheet metal il' desired.

- The ears 36, 37 are'substantially spaced apart as indicated in Fig. 10, and between such ears is received the carrier member 39.

lThis carrier member is of substantially U-sliape in cross section, comprising the arm 40 lying adjacent and against the inner surface of the ear 36 and the arm 41 contacting with the inner face of ear 37. Alined openings are formed in the arms and ears through which is passed a pivot pin or bolt 42, and surrounding such bolt may be arranged a spacer' sleeve 42a, if desired. While it is preferred to use a single pivotl bolt, it is clearly evident that independent bolts might be employed for securing the ear 36 to the arm 40, and the ear 37 to the arm 41, respectively.

To the outer surface .of the end closing member 43 of the carrier 89 are pivotally secured a pair of plates 15a, 17L similar in all respects to theplates 15, 17 hereinbefore described, these plates being bent at their outer portions to provide trough-like devices comprising members such as 44, 45 respectively, with which engage the upper ends of leg members 46, 47. The leg members 46, 47 are preferably of tubular formv and are secured to the curved .portions of the plates 15H17ZL by means of rivets such as 48, 49.

If desired, the bracket member 31 may be provided with an integral cover member 50, so bent as to substantially cover the end of the bar 1 and is secured in position upon the bar 1L by means of thesingle canopy retaining pin 31a and by ,theV clamping action of the depending ears and the rivets 42 and 35a. The bracket may be cut away as at 51 if desired, to provide proper space for the upper edges of the plates 15a, 17a. A foldable brace comprising the members 52, 53 may be provided for one or both of the legs 46, 47, such braces being of the selflocking variety such as is commonly employed in structures of this type. In the modified form of bracket shown in Fig. 8,

lthe sleeve portion thereof is indicated at 31b and the pairs of depending ears at 36h, 34h,

respectively.' The structure is in general similar to that of Fig. G except in the spacing of the pairs of ears.

In the use of the devices herein disclosed the legs of each pair normally occupy such positions as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 or 6, 7 respectively, and if desired the legs ci each pair may be provided with-folding braces (not shown) whereby to maintain them in properly divergent relation. With the parts as illustrated in either Figs. 1 or 6 a hammock may be secured to the hooks such as 10 or 38 and the structure will be found to be extremely rigid and capable of supporting the hammock even'though the latter be violently oscillating. vVihen it is desired to fold up the device for transportation or storage it is simply necessary 4to swing the legs of each pair inwardly toward each other, the retaining brace thereof being properly manipulated for this purpose and when the legs have beenbrought into substantial parallelism the carrier member to which they are connected may be swung about its pivotal support upon its bracket whereby the pairs of legs may be brought to lie substantially parallel to the transverse rod or bar. It is thus clear that the device may be readily folded without the necessity for employing wrenches or other tools and that it may be as readily set up for use. The structures herein shown are of simple form and such as may be manufactured at a relatively low cost, while at lthe same time they are extremely durable and eliicient inservice.

Having thus described the invention together with a preferred embodiment of the same, what I claim and desire t Secure by Letters Patent of the United yStates is:

1. A support comprising a transverse member, a bracket liXedly secured adjacent to the end of said member, a carrier pivotally secured to said bracket to swing about an aXis transverse to that of said transverse member, a pair of leg holders pivotally secured to said carrier, and legs xed to the respective holders.

2. A device-of the class described comv prising'a transverse member, a bracket secured adjacent to one Vend of said member,

rio

a carrier pivotally connected to said bracket,

said carrier to turn about a common axis substantially parallel to that of the transverse member.

4. A hammock support comprising a transverse bar, a. bracket iiXed adjacent to one end of said bar, a pair of ears outstanding from the bracket, a hammock sustaining hook pivotally secured to one of said ears, a carrier pivoted to the other of said ears, and a pair of leg holders secured to said carrier.

5. A bracket for use in the construction of portable supports comprising a substantially cylindrical portion for the reception of the end portion of a bar, and a pair of spaced ears projecting from one side of said cylindrical portion, one of said ears being constructed and arranged for the attachment of a leg carrying member and the other for the reception of a hammock sustaining hook.

6. A hammock support comprising a transverse bar, a substantially tubular bracket embracingr said bar adjacent its end, a pair of substantially parallel ears depending from the bracket, a carrier member pivoted between said ears to swing about an axis transverse to that of the bar, and a leg engaging member secured to said carrier to swing about an axis substantially parallel to that of the bar.

7. A hammock support comprising a bracket having spaced ears outstanding therefrom, a carrier member of substantially U-shaped cross section, means for pivotally securing the arms of said carrier to said ear, and a leg holder pivoted to the closed end of said U-shaped carrier.

8. A hammock support comprising a transverse bar, a bracket secured thereto and having a pair of substantially parallel spaced ears, a carrier of substantially U- shaped cross section having its arms engaging the respective ears, a pivot pin extending through openings in the ears and the arms of the carrier for pivotally securing the latter to the bracket, and a leg holder secured to the closed end of said U-shaped carrier.

9. A hammock support comprising a bracket, a carrier pivoted to said bracket, a pair of plates arranged in overlapping relation and co-pivotally secured to said carrier, the outer portions of the respective plates being of curved cross section, and a leg ixedly secured to the curved portion of each of said plates.

10. A bracket for use in hammock supports comprising a member of sheet material having its central portion so shaped as to constitute a substantially cylindrical tube, and having its opposite edges provided with outstanding tabs lying in substantially parallel relation, said tabs being perforated for the reception of a pivot pin.

l1. A sheet metal bracket of the class described comprising a main portion of substantially tubular form but open along one side, and a pair of tabs extending outwardly from said main portion at each edge of the opening, one tab of each pair being substantially opposite and parallelly disposed as respects the corresponding tab of the other pair, said tabs being provided with openings or the reception of pivot pins whereby to connect a leg carrier and a hammock hook respectively to the bracket.

l2. A hammock support comprising a tubular bar, a sheet metal bracket embracing said bar adjacent its end, said bracket having two pairs of oppositely disposed, outstanding ears, a hammock sustaining hook pivoted between the ears of one pair, a carrier pivoted between the ears or' the other pair, leg holders mounted upon said carrier to swing about a common pivot, tubular legs fixed to the respective holders, and 'oldable brace members pivoted to the respective legs and to the tubular bar.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 19th day of March, 1921.

LOUIS I. BECKWITH. 

